Toy blocks.



E. R. DOUGLASS.

Patented July 31, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

WITNESSES INVENTOR wfl zw @SWQ/QW (1AA I [a {alam I WQ W W h an; I

E. R. DOUGLASS.

TOY BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.

Patented July 31, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR ESTHER R. DOUGLASS, OF ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TOY BLOCKS.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, ESTHER R. DOUGLASS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Altoona, Blair county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new improvement in Toy Blocks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing another embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view illustrating the connection between two of the blocks.

Fig. 4: is a plan view showing a toy of the general form of Fig. 1, but made up of a larger number of blocks, and

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the form oftoy shown in Fig. 2.

My invention has relation to toy blocks,

and is designed to provide a set of blocks having means whereby they may be flexibly and detachably connected with each other to form objects of various kinds.

The nature of my invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown two different embodiments thereof, and which will now be described, it being premised, however, that these are illustrative only, and that the particular form of the blocks may be widely varied without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

Referring first to that form of my invention shown in Fig. 1, the numerals 2, 3 and i designate three blocks which are flexibly connected to form an object representinga sea serpent. The block 2which formsthe head of the serpent is provided at its rear and with a vertical socket 5 of approxie mately cylindrical form, adapted to loosely receive therein the cylindrical coupling'head 6 on the adjacent end of the block 3. The socket 5 is partially open at its rear side to receive the neck portion 7 ofthe coupling head 6. The'rear end of the block-3 is provided with a similar socket adapted to re.- ceive a similar head on the block 4.

The adjacent ends of the blocks are cut Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 191?.

Application filed March 17, 1917. Serial No. 155,431.

away and curved in the manner indicated at 8, so as to permit considerable freedom of lateral movement of the blocks with respect to each other. The connections are also preferably sufliciently loose to permit of some vertical flexibility. The blocks can be readily connected and disconnected by bringing the cylindrical head portions -6 into vertical alinement with the sockets 5,.

but cannot be connected or disconnected by direct endwise movement with respect to each other.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 2, the blocks 9 and 10 are made to represent approximately different cars of a freight train, the connections between these blocks being made in the same way as with I those shown in Fig. 1.

By reference to Figs. 4. and '5, the efi'ect of the lateral flexibility in prodilcing a complete toy will be more apparent.

It will be understood that my invention iswholly independent of the particular form of the blocks themselves, but that it consists in the means provided for flexibly connecting and disconnecting the blocks. It will be further understood that any desired number of the blocks may be provided to. be

blocks having at the other end portion a projecting cylindrical head adapted to fit the said socket of another block, the end surfaces of the blocks being shaped to permit of relative lateral movement of' the blocks when engaged with each other, the set also" comprising end blocks, each having one end portion only adapted for engagement wlth one of the main blocks, substantially as described.

2. A set of toy blocks, said blocks having engaged with the socket of another block, 7 portions provided with cylindrical sockets, substantially as described. 1 e 1 and other portions provided with cylindrical In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set heads; adapted to loosely engage said sockets, my hand.

5 and the end portions of the blocks adjacent ESTHER R. DOUGLASS.

to the heads and sockets being cut away and Witnesses shaped to permit relative lateral movement H. C. Bnonn,

of the blocks when the head of one block is MATTHEW M. Momzow. I 

